Pelato

We randomly found Pink Bellies on Google Maps and could not have been more delighted with our…read morechoice. Our server was absolutely charming. He was running lunch on his own and somehow managed to be incredibly attentive, friendly and knowledgeable about the menu without ever making us feel rushed. And the food was every bit as good as the service. We ordered two of the house specialties -- the OG Garlic Noodles and General Gerry's Chicken -- and shared both. The two of us finished everything. We were completely full and still couldn't stop eating because it was just that delicious. Sometimes the places you stumble upon end up being the best finds. Pink Bellies was definitely one of those. We'd go back in a heartbeat.

Our group had a mixed experience here for dinner. I loved the cacio e pepe pasta and my husband's…read moreangel hair lump crab dish. The chicken parmigiana with spaghetti wasn't great. It was over seasoned and covered in cheese, and the pasta was a bit too chewy and almost tasted not quite al dente. Service was very good. So four stars for the other pasta dishes but 2 stars for chicken Parmesan.

Bar

Squid Ink Spaghetti

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Nice room

Indaco

4.3(840 reviews)

1.4 mi•Cannonborough

By far one of the most amazing places we have eaten in a very long time. Not only was every single…read moredish we ordered from the appetizers to the dessert, completely knock your socks off, we have a food allergy child, and the extent to which the foods that were explained as safe versus not versus could be altered was outstandingly impressive. Olivia was our waitress and she was 10/10 awesome. What a gem we discovered in historic Charleston!!!

This has been on my list for a while and I'll surely come back!…read more I started with the focaccia which was warm, airy and paired perfectly with the pimento forward olive tapenade and whipped ricotta. Enough for 3 people to have a sizable piece. If you're looking for an indulgent, knock your socks off pasta, GET THE TRUFFLE SPAGHETTI! It is completely worth the price and enough for 2 people to split to feel better about the spend. The lumache Nero had a solid kick to it and the shrimp were cooked perfectly. For dessert, we chose the olive oil cake and tiramisu. I'd definitely order the cake again especially to taste that lemon curd again! The interior is dimly lit, great for a date night or special occasion. There's an open kitchen so you can watch the food being cooked along with a large bar. Service was fantastic and welcoming from start to finish.

Inside of restaurant from the bar

Cotechino Pizza

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Margherita Pizza

Sorelle

4.4(457 reviews)

2.5 mi•French Quarter

I wish we could seat in the dining room... the bar upstairs was nice but next time we hope to be in…read morethe dining room... pWe will be relocating to Charleston in December and will try again... anniversary recognition was outstanding and noted... only touch I would add is a candle with dessert. Bread aolive oil and octopus outstanding. Seafood pasta did not have chunks of seafood so probably lost in the sauce... rigatoni was excellent otherwise. Valet Parking would be great...

We live part time in CHS and Sorelle NEVER disappoints. The staff are incredibly attentive and…read morehelpful, and the food is chefs kiss every single time! One of our favorite restaurants!

The downstairs bar

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Fattie's (local Italian style pilsner)

Mario's Italian Ristorante

4.5(370 reviews)

1.5 mi•Radcliffborough

We sat at the bar. Great food and service. Pizza was great. Meatballs were fantastic! Great sauce…read more :-)

Italian!! Food, drinks, atmosphere, service all 5 Stars!!! Don't pass it up -- go in, you will…read morelove it!! Family owned. We were served by Klajdi and he was great!! Also the Limoncello Spritzer was a refreshing drink after our bus tour of Charleston, SC.

Restaurants atmosphere ;)

Charcuterie (we requested all prosciutto) and the Casa Salad peeping in the background

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Inside

Frannie & The Fox

4.3(622 reviews)

2.2 mi•Ansonborough

Our server Jimmy was AMAZINGGG!! So so funny and kind. He made great recommendations and made the…read moreexperience 10 times better. The food was also amazing but will never forget our first time here due to our amazing hospitality!!!! The lighting and design of the restaurant is so calm and cool. The vibe was amazing. Thank you Jimmy you were amazing!

After a full weekend of eating our way through Charleston, Frannie & The Fox ended up being our…read morefavorite meal...and it almost didn't happen! My husband found this spot last minute since it was just a short walk from our hotel. We arrived pretty close to the kitchen closing, and while they mentioned we could still order at the bar, our server, Miseal, graciously offered to seat us at a table and take care of us anyway. That level of hospitality set the tone for the entire evening. We kept it simple and shared the Octopus Salad and the Taleggio Pizza, and wow...every single bite was packed with flavor. The pizza, cooked in the wood-fired brick oven, had the perfect crispy yet chewy crust with rich, melty cheese. The octopus was tender, fresh, and beautifully balanced. It was honestly the best meal we had all weekend. I paired everything with a refreshing brut rose while my husband enjoyed a beer, and it couldn't have been a better way to end our Charleston trip. The atmosphere is stylish and lounge-like with a romantic feel...perfect for a date night or a relaxed evening after exploring the city. A huge thank you to Miseal for making us feel so welcome, even at the end of the night. Great food, outstanding service, and an unforgettable experience. This will absolutely be one of our first stops the next time we're in Charleston.

Christmas Decor

Italian Pimento BLT on Roman

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Aperol Spritz

Melfi's

4.2(384 reviews)

0.8 mi•Westside

Can I give more than 5 stars?!!! Melfi's is a place that…read moreleft me thinking about their food weeks after eating there (twice)! The homemade pasta is amazing and cooked perfectly. We also had Osso Bucco which was phenomenal! When we went the second time we had to try the pizza made in their great pizza ovens! Excellent! We ate in their cute side patio. The staff was very friendly. Great experience!

#1 soft shell crab in Charleston…read more Massive soft shell crab deep fried to perfection on a place over delicious lemon risotto with ample trout roe and fresh dill. Not only the best soft shell in Charleston, but also one of the best dishes I've ever had in Charleston. Paired with a nice white wine.

The bar

Bruschetta (no tomatoes!) and still uniquely delicious. Amazing bread and the cheese was.... chef's kiss fantastic!

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Main dining room & large wooden bar

Carmella's

4.3(1.3k reviews)

2.4 mi•French Quarter

PHENOMENAL ATMOSPHERE AND SERVICE!!! Southern hospitality…read moreat its finest! Immediately when you walk in, you feel at home. Welllllll if your home surrounds you with a case full of heavenly made pies, cakes, and delectables and a grill and bar turning out tantalizing treats for your tastebuds-- then yes, yes you'll feel right at home! THE BEST KEY LIME PIE EVVVVVVERRRR! Do yourself a favor and add this place to your itinerary of must visit places in Charleston! You will only regret it if you skip it!

Carmella's is cute and sleek. It's a nice place to go if you're in a hurry…read more I got a tiramisu cup and key lime pie to go. The tiramisu was delicious, although a bit mild in flavor in terms of espresso. I loved the texture of it. It was soft and not too wet, with an abundance of lady fingers. They did not skimp at all when it came cream. I do wish the flavor was stronger. The key lime pie had a delicious filling and the meringue was perfect. I do prefer a graham cracker crust and think that it was missing. The tart shell was good, but not defining of a key lime pie, in my opinion. I will definitely return! Thanks Carmella's!

Inside

Butterscotch Budino

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Butterscotch Budino

The Obstinate Daughter

4.5(1.9k reviews)

7.1 mi

First time in the area, and Obstinate Daughter was recommended by a neighbor…read more Excellent food, creative menu, excellent service, relaxed vibe. Ordered the farro piccolo ( wow!) and the swordfish Siciliana , both delicious! Brantley was attentive, helpful with the menu/ what to order, and very personable; enjoyed talking with him for a while. Michelin rated 2025!

What an experience! First and foremost, you really have to make reservations. We walked in and had…read moreto wait 45 minutes just to end up sitting at the bar which was packed almost to the point of uncomfortably. That being said, the bar service was fantastic and the amount of people in the restaurant didn't seem to affect flow or speed at all. We got two mocktails, the flatbread, and two pasta dishes. Everything was well seasoned, pasta perfectly al dente, and the flavors were just great!

Interior

Low Country Shrimp Roll

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Sweater Weather

Mondo's Italian Restaurant

4.3(353 reviews)

5.5 mi

AMAZING. If your looking for fine dining quality with affordable prices this is it!! Service was…read moreamazing as well !

Went to mondo's for dinner and drinks tonight and was very disappointed in the service. We arrived…read moreat about 7:45 and they had already started cleaning up. They were folding silverware and napkins at the bar. (A restaurant with prices like mondo's should be doing this out of customer view). We sat at the bar and had drinks and food, and we didn't feel welcome at all. The burrata flatbread was delicious. Others came after us, so we know weren't the last to arrive. We were shocked at the service given that we have been to mondo's many times before. We like the food at Mondo's, but no food is worth being treated poorly.

Mondo's interior expansion and renovation is incredible!

Their bread, oil and Parmesan to sprinkle on top was incredible in flavor and tender texture.

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Time to digest

Wild Olive

4.6(950 reviews)

7.2 mi

Such a beautiful restaurant. Love the food and drink options, absolutely to die for. The service…read morethere is always amazing. I have never had a bad meal nor experience here!

All the food was excellent, but I wasn't personally blown away by the Lobster Risotto…read more Mine's better! That being said I do love everything about this place, and the service is always stellar. The place is very typical classic Italian decor. It can be a bit loud, but honestly people are enjoying themselves so I certainly can't complain about that...

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Ambience

Goat cheese and ricotta gnocchi

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Beautiful and elegant venue

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Dani P.

Elite 26

143

515

1 year ago

Pelato is an absolute standout in Charleston! We ordered a little bit of everything and loved it all. We started with the Prosciutto di Parma and Panelle--both excellent for sharing. The prosciutto was delicate and full of flavor, while the panelle had that perfect crisp-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture. The burnt broccolini ended up being one of the surprise favorites of the night--charred just right with tons of flavor. For mains, the Chicken Parmigiana was perfectly done--crispy, saucy, cheesy, everything you want from a classic. The Radiatori Vodka (gluten free) was another standout. The pasta had great texture, the sauce was rich and comforting, and you'd never guess it was gluten free. We wrapped things up with their fresh daily gelato, which was the perfect light and refreshing finish. Cocktails and mocktails were also a highlight--creative, balanced, and not treated like an afterthought. Between the cozy-but-chic atmosphere, genuinely warm service, and consistently delicious food, Pelato easily earns a spot on the short list of Charleston must-tries. Can't wait to come back! read more

Pamela W.

Elite 25

11 months ago

We had a great experience at Pelato for a birthday dinner. We started with the garlic bread, which was so good, although I love it when bread is included in the price. Totally worth it though! We shared several items, and everything was delicious. We ordered the calamari, the meatballs, the bucatini, and the radiatore vodka, but the campanelle shrimp limone was my favorite. The service was excellent, and our server was attentive and friendly. The atmosphere inside is noisy, but it has great energy. We ended up eating outdoors, which was much more relaxing for us. read more

Maggie K.

1 year ago

We had an amazing dinner at Charleston's newest hot spot! Our server, James, was fantastic -- friendly, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations. We started with a fresh, flavorful salad and the crostini, which was the perfect bite to kick things off. The pasta dishes were rich and delicious, and the chicken parm was crispy, cheesy perfection. Don't skip dessert -- we shared two and couldn't decide which was better. A new favorite in town! read more

sarah

11 months ago

The waitress was excellent and provided wonderful service. However, our experience with the chef was disappointing. While I understand and respect the chef's talent and the quality of the food, I was dining with a vegan guest who has specific dietary restrictions. Given the price of the dish, we had hoped the chef would be willing to make a few simple accommodations. Unfortunately, this was not the case. read more

Lawrence F.

1 year ago

Everything was wonderful. The food exceeded my expectations. I took my wife to Pelato for my birthday celebration, and it was fantastic. Pelato has a great menu, and I believe everything on it tastes good. We tried six dishes, and each one was unique and tasty. Our server, Mia, did an excellent job answering our questions and giving helpful recommendations. I highly recommend visiting Pelato! read more

Sarah C.

1 year ago

We had Sarah as our server and she was amazing! Food was to die for. The hosts were great- told us our table was ready immediately and even gave a heads up of when they will need the table for the next reservation. Drinks were fabulous. The space was warm and inviting! Sarah went above and beyond to get to know us as well. She was very knowledgeable about the menu and recommendations too! read more

Elizabeth S.

1 year ago

Had such a wonderful time at brunch with our amazing server Reagan! She had phenomenal recommendations (ex. meatballs) and the service she provided was just fantastic. 10/10 and will absolutely be back. My mom and I agree that since I have lived in Charleston for the past year this is our favorite unique brunch experience (amazing food, service, and ambiance) read more

Erin N.

4 months ago

Our entire experience at Pelato was amazing! The frozen espresso martini is a must. All of the food was delicious but the stand out was the radiatori vodka pasta! Compared to other vodka pasta's in the city this is THE BEST! Also the service was great and food came out quickly. Shout out to our amazing server Lisa who was very nice and helpful! read more

Tina S.

1 year ago

Very nice looking place. Unfortunately very nasty staff. For $60.00 per meal to make a reservation , it wasn't anything great. If you want the full New Yorker experience complete with arrogance and a touch of snobbery then this is the place. when in Charleston, I want the Charleston experience read more

Taylor G.

Elite 26

7 months ago

My meal at Pelato was a refreshing take on Italian cuisine with a vegetable-forward focus and the cauliflower and broccolini were two standout dishes that proved simple ingredients can be elevated with the right touch. Don't sleep on these dishes! read more

Grace P.

1 year ago

food was delicious, ambiance was lovely, and service was excellent! Sarah was so friendly and went out of her way to make sure my group of girls had a good time. we went for a birthday celebration and it was a very special one! read more

will m.

1 year ago

One of the greatest dining experiences I've had in a very long time. Darrian's service was superb, parallel to the food. The radiatori vodka very well may make you slap your grandmother. I look forward to returning! read more

Shelby T.

1 year ago

Had a great experience! The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. Our server, Logan, was especially attentive and friendly--he made sure everything was just right. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Maria G.

18 days ago

this was my second time here and it's so good!!! The food is amazing! Dario was our waiter and he was so sweet and kind. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a good Italian place here in charleston! read more

Rebekah S.

1 year ago

Sarah is the most fun server ever!! we had been wanting to try here since its opened & Sarah made our experience top notch!!! great recommendations and even better vibes!! absolutely will be back read more

Nicole D.

18 days ago

Lucas and Jamal made dinner so fun!! They gave the best recommendations and were super welcoming! 100% coming back. The food and drinks were great and super accommodating for gluten-free/celiac! read more

Wendy H.

17 days ago

service was fabulous and our server Dalton was wonderful and we ate everything he recommended. heard you guys are thinking of opening in Charlotte yes please that is where we live!!!! read more

Spyros G.

1 year ago

James was absolutely fantastic! From great food recommendations to going above and beyond for my birthday it's impossible to give less than 5 stars! We will definitely be back! read more

Eric Q.

1 year ago

Aziya's service was fantastic!! Food was delicious! Great festive environment. Good place for a big group or a celebration. Come hungry because you'll want to order everything! read more

Brittany B.

4 months ago

absolutely amazing! we came for brunch and fell in love with every dish that was served. Rebekah was amazing. She provided great service and recommendations. We will be back! read more

Pelato - italian - Updated September 2026

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Horrible experience with the host, hostess and manager of this establishment. They had plenty of…read moreopportunities to "recover" but just could not get out of their own way: Opportunity #1 - Can't stand at the bar near hostess stand (no problem just saying hi to our friends and ordering drinks) Opportunity #2 - We will not ask guests to move their bags to accommodate other guests. (I guess that could be a policy) Opportunity #3 - Can't stand anywhere in the bar (the floor is lava) Opportunity #4 - The empty tables at the bar are for reservations. (Fair enough but maybe at 4 pm with an empty dining room) We were offered seats on the roof deck (118 heat index) or in the lounge (two seats and a couch between the shitter and employee room/kitchen). We sat in the lounge and ordered more drinks. Opportunity #5 - Wife goes to bar to order drinks and say hi to our friends. Male Host aggressively intimidates my wife with his physical presence and horrible attitude. (Big man on campus) Opportunity #6 - THE BILL!! Our group was charged full price for all drinks because we were seated in the lounge and not the bar. (not the bartenders fault who was a solid guy and I could tell he has dealt wth this before) Opportunity #7 - Your manager does not care that a group of 6 people who live downtown had a horrible experience. (three people, two drinks - $8 to 10 difference per drink would have been a 48 to 60 dollar save) Opportunity #8 - Nope. As a matter of fact I would highly recommend going to Pelato, Legami, Melfi's, Mario's, Frannie and the Fox, Sorelle, Indaco, Volpes, Costa, Fratellos or Wild Olives before I would ever go to this place. Special shout out to Nico's Bistronomy for being so welcoming, so delicious and so right down the street!!!

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